1971: Ask Farnoosh: Buy Gold? Save on Travel? And My Thoughts on Strangers by Belle Burden

About this episode

Farnoosh discusses travel costs, urban retirement trends, college scholarships, and financial independence while reviewing a memoir by Belle Burden.

Spring break in Los Angeles sounded like a dream…until the bills—and a four-hour flight delay—set in. In this solo episode, Farnoosh recaps her family’s trip (theme parks, travel hiccups, and a surprising airline perk that saved the day) and what it reveals about the rising cost of travel right now. Then, a look at where retirees are heading next. A new report finds more older Americans choosing cities like New York, Boston, and Seattle—not for the pace, but for the walkability, social connection, and even climate resilience. Is urban retirement the new dream? Plus, a warning (and opportunity) for families navigating college costs: Students are increasingly turning to social media for scholarships. Farnoosh breaks down how to find legitimate money—from trusted databases to local organizations. Also in this episode: a powerful read. Farnoosh shares her take on Strangers by Belle Burden—a memoir about a marriage unraveling, but more importantly, a cautionary tale about financial dependence. Despite coming into the relationship with wealth, Burden relinquished control of the finances—only to face devastating consequences when the marriage ended. It’s a story that raises urgent…

People in this episode

Host: Farnoosh Torabi

Topics covered

• travel costs
• urban retirement
• college scholarships
• financial dependence
• credit rebuilding

Keywords

• travel
• retirement
• scholarships
• financial independence
• credit

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Strangers by Belle Burden

Places: Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Seattle

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• 1975: How to Gain Mental Strength and Financial Resilience in Uncertain Times · April 27, 2026 · 35 min
• 1974: Ask Farnoosh: The Truth About Trump Accounts, a Wealth Hack for Kids and Estate Planning Made Simple · April 24, 2026 · 31 min
• 1973: Strangers: A Review of the Marriage Memoir Everyone's Talking About · April 22, 2026 · 37 min